The Director of Public Prosecutions, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has told Ugandan prosecutors that the goal is to deliver justice to members of the public and not necessarily convictions.
“When people are judging us, they should do so with a proper background. When they say we are lazy, they should know this background. As prosecutors, you are not paid to get convictions but to ensure justice. I don’t want convictions but you are paid to deliver justice,” Abodo said.
The DPP was on Tuesday speaking during this year’s annual prosecutors’ symposium at Hotel African in Kampala under the theme, “Enhancing collaboration for effective and efficient prosecution.”
The DPP told prosecutors that whereas the need to secure convictions for cases might be high, they need to deliver justice, noting that in some cases, losing will ensure justice to those who are accused of doing wrong, whereas not.
“Even if you lose a case because evidence was not thee, don’t lose hope, celebrate. We don’t thumpchest when we get convictions when there was no evidence. We are paid to deliver justice and that’s why at the end of the month, even if you lose all cases in that month, you will still be paid.”
The DPP told prosecutors that unlike defence lawyers who are paid according to convictions or cases won, theirs is to ensure justice for members of the public.
“For prosecutors should never forget theirs is to deliver justice. The decisions you make as prosecutors should be able to serve justice.”
Speaking to this year’s theme, the DPP said whereas her office has 399 prosecutors, their strength is not in just numbers but ability to collaborate with other stakeholders and among themselves.
“Whether it is through sharing intelligence with police or aligning strategies with the judiciary, collaboration is key for our success. There is need to recognize that all justice actors serve the same citizens and failure to do so will definitely reflect on all of us.”
According to Abodo, the symposium is an opportunity to deepen partnerships and to learn from one another to enhance collective capacity to combat crime.
Retired former Deputy Justice, Richard Buteera, who also previously served as the Director of Public Prosecutions underscored the role of collaboration in combating crime and serving justice to the public.
“Let us enhance our collaboration with others to serve justice. Collaborate with experts on cases to shift from eyewitness evidence to scientific evidence. We have to shift our own attitudes as prosecutors from waiting for eyewitness evidence when there is scientific evidence. We have to advance and look for scientific evidence by collaborating with experts,” Buteera said.